Adap-Adap

Other common names: Balik Adap, Belak Adap, Cha Pedi, Daun Puteri, Segoreh, 光叶玉叶金花

Adap-adap are a hardy free-flowering shrub that is commonly seen in rewilding areas, nature parks, in roadside gardens, and biodiversity-attracting gardens. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies, while the fruits attract birds and small mammals. This plant is also native to Singapore and is naturally found growing along freshwater swamp forest and secondary forests.

A perennial flower, adap-adap are useful as biodiversity-attracting plants and perimeter plants to add a pop of colour to any garden.

Sun and soil needs:

This plant thrives in 4-8 hours of direct sunlight or at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight. Plants do best in pots with loamy soil at least 30cm deep, or in true ground. These plants are vulnerable to root rot, so ensure that your soil has plenty of organic matter to let the roots breathe.

Growing:

Adap-adap are steady growers and generally does not need fertilising. The shrub can grow up to 1m in height and will need to be pruned regularly. Regular pruning to promote airflow will keep the plant healthy and neat.

Propagation:

Adap-adap can be grown from seed or woody cuttings with rooting hormone.

Common problems & solutions:

This plant is relatively resistant to pests and disease if kept healthy.

If your plant has few to no flowers, you can fertilise the plant with fertilisers high in phosphorus and potassium.

If the plant does not receive enough light, it will stop producing flowers. Prune surrounding plants or move the plant to a sunnier spot to promote flower growth.

Aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, and spider mites often infest the plant if it has underlying problems like repeated wilting from heat stress. Mechanical pest control methods like pruning the infested parts are the best methods for managing these pests in the short term, but resolving the underlying problem will prevent them in the long term.